Events

2023 AIDS Walk South Dallas

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, March 25, 2023, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted the 13th annual AIDS Walk South Dallas, a 5K walk/run designed to inspire, educate and galvanize the community of South Dallas and surrounding areas to continue to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and assist those impacted.

Nearly 300 walkers participated in the 5K walk/run, along with 20+ local vendors. 

AIDS Walk South Dallas, Inc. was founded in 2009 to address the needs of marginalized and low-income communities and individuals impacted by HIV, whether living with or affected. 

For more information about AIDS Walk South Dallas, please visit www.aidswalksouthdallas.com.

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2023 “Taste of Soul” Soul Food Cook-Off (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, the City of Dallas Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted the “Taste of Soul” Soul Food Cook-Off in honor of Black History Month, highlighting local chefs and celebrating the diversity of soul food cuisine. 

Registered participants entered their best soul food dish for a chance to win first place in 4 categories, including meat, sides, desserts, and vegan/vegetarian. Each dish was judged based on taste, appearance, and creativity. The “People’s Choice” award was given to the contestant with the best overall dish, determined by a vote from local community members. 

Attendees enjoyed samples from each contestant along with raffles and prizes, kid zone activities, a fun 360° photo booth, free food and drinks, and live entertainment from Akeem Stroup, Spoken Word Artist; W.K., R&B Artist from Dallas, TX; and Line Dancing with Bria.

Featured contestants included Nomm Nomm Desserts, Delicious Home Cooking and Company, Juicy’s Soul Food & More!, Fletcher’s Catering, Charmed By Miss Vegan Cuisine, Mrs. Helen’s Home Cooking, Grandma’s House and Kitchen, Art Wilson/Artisan Chef Catering, Park’s Peas, Gorilla Rose Catering, Red Diva Chili, EP Cakes, Just Desserts, Soul Cravings, C and D Handmade Jewelry Co., Margaret Trammell Family Cook, and Gregory Green.

Winners included Juicy’s Soul Food & More! (Meat); Gregory Green (Sides); Nomm Nomm Desserts (Desserts); and Park’s Peas (Vegan/Vegetarian). The People’s Choice winner was Art Williams, Artisan Chef Catering.

Community Partners included Reliant NRG, Kroger, LIRA Group, and HELP. Special thanks to our volunteers and guests for attending!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Celebrating Black History Month at the MLK, Jr. Community Center

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events, Information , ,

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.

2023 “Taste of Soul” Soul Food Cook-Off

Bring your family to the “Taste of Soul” at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center on Saturday, February 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a soul food cook-off highlighting local chefs and businesses and celebrating the diversity of soul food cuisine.

The Taste of Soul will also feature raffles and prizes, a fun photo booth, and live entertainment for all to enjoy.

Come out and cast your vote for the best dish! Admission is free!

You can also choose to enter your best dish for a cash prize! The Grand Prize winner will receive $750.

For more information, visit bit.ly/MLKTasteofSoul.

2023 Black History Month Student Art Display

Call for Student Artists! Submit Art for Black History Month Display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center  The City of Dallas Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is seeking student artists to participate in an art display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in celebration of Black History Month. Artwork will be displayed inside of the MLK, Jr. Community Center from February 1 – February 28, 2023. CRITERIAStudents in grades 6-12 in the Dallas area can participate. Artwork should reflect the theme “It Starts with Me,” exploring the diversity of Black culture. Submissions may incorporate (but are not limited to) historical leaders, groups, events, flags, or a personal interpretation of the theme in relation to Black History Month.Acceptable mediums include (but are not limited to) paint, pencil, marker, ink, poetry, sculpture, collage, or photography. HOW TO SUBMITSubmit artwork to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215) along with the following details:

  • Artist Name
  • School
  • Grade
  • Art Title
  • Description of artwork

DEADLINE

  • Submit art by January 30, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.
  • Art Pick Up: March 1, 2023

CONTACT

For more information, contact Natashia Cooper at natashia.cooper@dallas.gov or call 214-670-8418.

Schedule a Tour of the Dallas Civil Rights Museum

Founded in 2014, the Dallas Civil Rights Museum is a place for people to discover and reconnect with the power of the Civil Rights Movement in America during the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Dallas Civil Rights Museum has a national focus of civil rights milestones from a national perspective. The museum houses a collection of original speeches, books, spoken word, art, and artifacts reflecting the Civil Rights movement to inspire dream keepers and change agents.To schedule a tour or for more information, call 214-670-8418. 

 

2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week (Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

The City of Dallas hosted its 41st annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from January 10-January 16, with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of equity, diversity, and opportunity. This year’s theme was Daring to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a New Generation.

MLK Wreath Laying Ceremony (January 10, 2023)

The 41st Annual MLK Celebration Week started with a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, featuring City of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson as Keynote Speaker. Special guests included James Madison High School JROTC; Saxophonist Jeff Aycock, Vocalist Lady Emerald; and Townview High School “Big D” Drumline. 

MLK Celebration Job Fair (January 11, 2023)

The MLK Celebration Job Fair was an in-person event at the Hall of State at Fair Park, in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas, featuring on-site interviews and hiring from 50+ employers.

Youth Summit (January 12, 2023)

The Youth Summit, hosted by the Dallas Youth Commission, took place at Dallas City Hall, examining the youth impact and ways to become lifelong leaders actively engaged in civic affairs, public policy and advocacy in the D/FW Metroplex.

Day of Prayer (January 12, 2023)

The City of Dallas and Faith Forward Dallas partnered to bring the Day of Prayer to the Latino Cultural Center to honor the work of Dr. King, his fight for a more just society, and ability to galvanize support from various faith leaders.

Equity Indicators Symposium (January 13, 2023)

The 4th Annual Equity Indicators Symposium was held at Paul Quinn College in collaboration with Communities Foundation of Texas. The Symposium focused on the Racial Equity Plan and philanthropy, education, and community to addresses disparities.

MLK Candle Lighting Ceremony (January 13, 2023)

The MLK Candle Lighting Ceremony, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, featuring Rev. Ty Pettiford, II, Senior Pastor of Carter Temple CME Church as the Keynote Speaker. Special guests included James Madison High School JROTC and U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett. 

“Keep Up the Dream” MLK Fest- Community Clean Up (January 14, 2023)

“Keep Up the Dream” MLK Fest was a community clean-up initiative in the South Dallas/Fair Park Neighborhood in partnership with South Side Quarter Development Co., Walls Project, Epiphany, Zeal, New Era, and the City of Dallas.

41st Annual MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala (January 14, 2023)

The 41st Annual MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala took place at the Hyatt Regency Dallas featuring Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd and Mistress of Ceremony Tashara Parker. The MLK, Jr. Community Center presented awards and scholarships, along with live entertainment and a silent auction in partnership with LIRA Group. Special thanks to Mae Beck and the Arthello Beck, Jr. Art Gallery; Manuel Beckles for original artwork from Zimbabwe; and to Ridout Framing.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade (January 16, 2023)

The City of Dallas and HELP partnered to host the MLK Day Parade, which featured approximately 200 entries ranging from elected officials, community organizations, youth groups, band/drill teams, colorful floats, and more. 

Sponsors from this year’s celebration included AT&T, Toyota, Reliant NRG, Dallas Love Field, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas College, AMN Healthcare, In-N-Out Burger, MoneyGram, State Fair of Texas, Wells Fargo, TXU Energy, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, SMU, Truist Bank, and Denny’s.

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2023 MLK Celebration Week

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41st Annual MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala 

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2023 MLK Day Parade